After The Curse

Snape buried his face into his shaking hands, his wand carelessly left by his side. The hour passed like a bad nightmare – he could hardly believe that he had lost the self-control he had a tight reign on over the past fifteen years. Something that the young woman had said touched the sorest point of his heart. It brought back memories of growing up knowing that he was different, that he would never be accepted. It also made him relive the seven long years at Hogwarts when he pitted himself against James Potter and Sirius Black, and always found himself at the losing end, humiliated. Her words reminded him that he was destined to remain friendless, and left to face and fight the world alone. He shouldn't have cast the spell. In that split second when his defenses broke, he had been transported to the days where he had thought he finally found a place where he belonged…where he could prove himself to be a valuable asset…where he was regarded above his peers in the eyes of his dark lord.

Regret had flooded Snape's emotions as he watched April's limp body being levitated out of the dungeon by Moody. The emotions surfaced again when the headmaster, the only one who would give him a chance, spoke to him in a tone that could only be described as being filled with disappointment and weariness. And Albus Dumbledore was the only person he had been determined to never let down.

*

"Professor Lupin!" Harry called out after Remus.

"Yes?"

Harry thought he saw sadness and worry in Remus' eyes. "I was just wondering if you know where Sirius is. He wasn't there at dinner."

Remus looked away, deciding what he should reveal. "There has been an accident, Harry. And April was injured…."

"Was it Voldemort?" Harry's hands flew to his scar in alarm. It had not been hurting recently. Had he broken the connection with Voldemort?

"It wasn't Voldemort," Remus decided not to tell Harry about Snape's involvement. Dumbledore had told him that this matter should not be blown up. "Anyway, Sirius is with her now."

"How is she?" Harry asked.

Remus shook his head slowly. "I've not seen her since. Professor Dumbledore said she needs rest."

"You can't tell me what happened?" Harry was beginning to get the message that Remus was hiding some details from him.

"Harry, don't worry. Everything will turn out fine. I need you to do something for me."

"What can I do?" Harry was anxious to help.

"Keep this a secret. Don't tell even Ron and Hermione. Can you do that?"

The young man nodded his consent reluctantly.

*

It was close to ten in the night.

A lone figure was slumped in his seat, keeping vigil.

Suddenly, he rose to his feet and approached the sleeping girl on the headmaster's couch. He slipped one arm under her shoulders, the other under her knees and lifted her up.

*

Sirius jumped to his feet as April stirred.

"Hey, you're awake?" he asked gently, but soon noticed that her eyes were still closed.

Her brows were knotted and her lips began to move slightly.

"April?"

"No…don't…don't leave…" Her voice was barely audible.

"I'm here. I'm not leaving," he told her soothingly, hoping that she could hear him.

"Mum!" There was panic in her voice now. "Where's Daddy?"

"Hey, Baby, it's time to wake up!"

"Please stay…leave it alone…let it be…don't touch it…"

Sirius shook her roughly by the shoulders. He knew what it was like to have bad memories haunting his dreams. He had nightmares every night during his first long years in Azkaban – bad dreams where he witnessed James and Lily falling limp and lifeless to the ground over and over again.

"Wake up! Come on! April! April Flamel!"

April opened her eyes, startled, and squinted at the bright sunlight that filtered into the room. As she tried to shield her eyes with her right hand, she found herself unable to move it. Someone was holding on tightly to her hand.

"Sirius?"

The handsome man staring into her eyes broke into a wide relieved smile.

"Thanks Merlin you're awake," he said in a soft voice. "How are you feeling?"

"Weak. Like I hardly have any strength."

"Close your eyes and rest. You'll feel better when you wake up later."

April's dark brown eyes swept across the unfamiliar room. "Where am I?"

"In my room."

Her tired eyes widened. "I'm in your bedroom, lying on your bed?"

Sirius looked slightly embarrassed. "I intended to bring you to your quarters but couldn't get past those wards put up by Moody. So I had to bring you here instead."

April took in the bright sunlight. "What time is it now? Mid-afternoon?"

Sirius' mood darkened as he remembered how pale she looked the day before. "It's nearly nine in the morning."

"I've slept for almost a day?" April tried to get up.

Sirius put out a hand to restrain her. "You need to rest."

"Help me sit up, please?" She looked at him pleadingly and he wordlessly obliged, sliding a pillow behind her back.

April closed her eyes for a few seconds from the exertion. When she opened them again, she saw Sirius still looking at her with concern.

"You were with me all along?"

"Since Moody told me what that b**tard did to you."

April gave a half-smile and slipped her hand into his. "Thanks, Sirius."

"Try to get a little more sleep. You need it if you want to get your strength back."

"I should go back to my own room so that you can get some rest too."

"No, I'm not tired. You can have my bed." He stood up abruptly.

"You're leaving?" she asked, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"I have some unfinished business to see to." Seeing the fear in her eyes, he added soothingly, "After I'm done with that, I'll never let you out of sight again."

"You're going to see Snape?"

He avoided her eyes.

"Don't. Let it be. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm not the one who'll get hurt. I'll pay him whatever he has given to you."

"No!" She clasped her fingers tighter around Sirius'.

He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it before letting go. "I'll be right back."

April watched helplessly as Sirius shut the door after him.

*

Snape gave his usual sneer when he saw Sirius storm into his office with wand held in front of him.

"I was beginning to wonder what took you so long," the Potions Master said.

"Raise your wand, Snape."

"Don't tempt me to duel with you, Black."

"I'm surprised at your sudden self-control. You obviously did not need any persuasion before you attacked a defenceless girl yesterday."

Snape remained quiet and Sirius ranted, "You know fully well that she's unable to defend herself and you had to use that curse on her. I've never thought I could think any worse of you, but it looks like you've proven me wrong for once."

"She provoked me," Snape said in unaccustomed quietness.

"April would do no such…"

"She knew. She knew what you did to me back in school."

There was a pause.

"I do not need any pity," Snape continued bitterly.

Sirius finally found his voice. "Who told her?"

"Who else?

"Remus?" Sirius asked disbelievingly. "He couldn't have told her. He had no reason to."

"No reason?" Snape raised his brow. "I would say he has much to gain with that Flamel girl. Aren't you two rivals?"

"We're friends."

Snape's sneer was in place once again. "That werewolf is the one who deserves pity. Both Evans and Flamel fell for the wrong men."

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Snape gave a cold smile and made his way to the exit.

"I'm not done with you yet, Snape!" Sirius said, pointing his wand at Snape's back. "Whip out your wand. I'll not fight an unarmed man."

"How honourable!" Snape sneered again. "I'll duel with you, Black. But not now."

*

Sirius stepped into the classroom as soon as the seventh-years left, and slammed the door behind him.

Remus, who was gathering his things, looked up in surprise. "How's April?" he asked.

"Why do you care?" Sirius eyed his friend warily.

Surprise flickered across Remus' face once again. "Of course I care. She's my friend."

"And my girlfriend, in case you have not noticed."

Remus was on his guard. "What are you trying to say, Padfoot?"

"You once told me that you like April as you do Lily. Now I want you to tell me truthfully what your feelings towards Lily were."

"Is this important?" Remus asked quietly.

"Yes."

"James and you suspected. That's why both of you did not trust me. That's why you made Peter the secret-keeper without telling me," Remus said in the same quiet voice.

"I thought for a moment that we were over-suspicious. But we were right, weren't we?" Sirius took Remus' silence as consent. "We trusted you. How could you?"

Remus looked away.

"How could you betray our trust?" Sirius persisted.

"I did not betray you, Sirius. Nor did I betray James. The two of you were my first friends, one of the few people who accepted me for what and who I am. I admit that Lily and April were special. But I've never thought of fighting with either of you over them."

"I asked if you liked April and you encouraged me to open up my feelings to her," Sirius said almost accusingly.

"I can tell all along that you're the one she really cares for. I'm just a friend to her." Remus paused.  "I admit I may have a liking for April and Lily, but my feelings will never run as deep as yours. Prongs and you will die for them. I'm not sure if I can do that."

There was a long pause.

"Moony…" Sirius began, searching for words.

"If my presence makes you uneasy, I can leave Hogwarts."

"No," Sirius said quickly. "That's not necessary."

"I hope this will not mar our friendship. I can assure you that April and I will remain just friends and nothing more."

Sirius nodded slowly. He did not want to lose Remus either. "We're the last Marauders. We have to stay together."

Remus shot Sirius a tentative smile that the latter returned with a little hesitance at first, and then grew wider with more certainty.

*

"Sirius!" April cried as soon as he entered his bedroom.

Sirius went quickly to her side and sat down on the edge of the bed. "You're awake so soon?"

She shook her head impatiently. "I couldn't sleep. I was worried about you. Are you alright?"

"Sure," he smiled.

"You met Snape?"

"I sure did," Sirius looked away, "but he won't pull out his wand and duel with me. Sorry…"

April leaned towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm just glad you're fine. Don't look for Snape again!" She took a deep breath before adding, "Actually, I was at fault too. I spoke some harsh words to him and he must have…"

"Remus shouldn't have told you what he did," Sirius could not stop himself from saying.

April raised her brows. "He means well," she stated simply.

Sirius decided that he should clear all doubts about her feelings once and for all. "Do you want me to get Remus to see you?"

She gave him a confused frown. "Whatever for?"

"In case you want him to look after you instead," he replied, observing her reaction closely.

She looked vaguely annoyed. "You don't want to take care of me anymore?"

"No, of course that's not it. I just thought…"

April pulled Sirius closer and pressed a cheek against his broad shoulder. "I only want you here. That's enough for me."

Sirius smiled. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. But it'll be even better if you can repay the debt you owe me."

"What debt do I owe you?" It was Sirius' turn to be confused.

April drew away and stared intently at him. "Remember your promise that you'll grant me a special request if I get rid of Umbridge for you?"

"Oh, that!" Sirius admitted sheepishly. "I was kind of hoping you'll forget about that, or treat my haircut as a fulfillment of…"

"No way! The haircut was a bet between Umbridge and me. It has nothing to do with my request!" She playfully ran her long fingers through his hair. "Besides, it seems that you're letting it grow again. And what's this cute goatee?"

"You don't like it?"

"Sure I do," she said easily. "Now, back to my special request. Don't try to change the subject."

"You promised that it'll not make me look like a fool," he reminded her.

"Did I?" she winked. "Alright, I'll be nice."

"So have you thought of how you want to torture me?"

"Torture? Hmm…that sounds tempting."

"April Flamel!" He flashed her a mock-dangerous look.

"My request is really simple," she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I just want you to help me understand more about what goes on in here," she trailed a finger to his left chest, and looked at him teasingly. "I want to know more about what makes the heart of Sirius Black tick. About your past. About your memories, both good and bad. About what shaped you into the wonderful guy you are today."

"That's your request?"

She nodded. "I'll give you a week to grant it."

"Your wish shall be my command." Sirius lowered his head, slipped his arms around her waist, and pressed his lips firmly to hers.

***

SjabRox: Snape just lost control. I don't believe he's downright evil.

Lil Lupin: Snape will continue being the potions professor. But I have a little surprise for him…

Kendra Meadows: I like POC too! I'm waiting for the VCD to be sold at the stores so that I can watch it over and over again.

BBOO: Have I cleared up the Sirius/Remus/April thing? You'll read about the final bit of it in the next chapter. After that, we'll move off to 'serious matters'.

ANNE( v )79: Sorry I took so long to update. I was busy at work.

Fire'N'Ice: Good luck with the fifth book. I'll force myself to reread it soon, cuz I was too disturbed to read it properly the first time.

Lily Skylo: Padfoot will have to wait for another time to tear Snape apart.

Senshichan14: Your reviews are always so fun to read! Asking Sirius to curse the body? Hee…good one!

Jena Jinn: I'll try to write more soon, but my work schedule is bad these days.

black-cat-on-the-wall: Sirius will not die in any of my stories. I'm not that cruel!

LILRKCHK: Snape hurt April and you pity Sirius? *shakes head* You're really a true-blue fan of Padfoot!

Diosa Alexia: You really want Snape to die? Hmm…I'm now looking for characters to kill of…everyone except Sirius and Harry are potential candidates…

OutofAzkaban: My boyfriend says you're right! LOL. Or, shall I call him my ex?!

Katani Petitedra: Never eat mints when you're threatening someone. ;)

The Map: Yay! I'm so happy to 'meet' another Singaporean here! Thanks hor.  ;)

lildarkkitty: Sorry I took so long! Hope the next one will be sooner…

Sallymander: Thanks! :)

peachgirl1608: You must really have a very powerful leg, to be able to send him to Pluto! LOL. Two more days to your last paper, right? All the best!

Ms. Padfoot: Ok – you can have him for detention. 'Adflictatio' means pain in Latin; while 'Indolentia" means to take away pain. (I got these from a dictionary. Hopefully they're correct!)

Finwitch1: I can't imagine April being the Potions 'Mistress'! I have something else in store for her ;)

Summerkins: The intruder was Moody. He had been away or a mission and just returned to Hogwarts for a little while.

moe: Do I have to torture my characters before you submit another review? Don't be lazy! Review pls!

ice-cold-star: You're 'HP-rawks xcept da 5th-book', right? I've reviewed your fic :)